This story by Jordan Cuddemi was published by the Valley News on May 29.
[S]PRINGFIELD — The town and its insurance company have agreed to pay former Police Chief Douglas Johnston $125,000 in “alleged damages” to settle a federal lawsuit the Springfield resident brought in February, accusing town officials of unlawfully terminating him.
The town also has agreed to pay Johnston an additional $125,000, which tallied his accrued vacation leave ($61,901), his accrued sick leave ($38,269), and severance pay ($24,830), for a total payment of $250,000, according to the settlement agreement dated April 23 and released to the Valley News this week.
As part of the agreement, no one has admitted fault.
“Mr. Johnston further recognizes, acknowledges and understands that the parties hereby released admit no liability of any sort, in fact, they deny any liability,” the document says, later adding, “This settlement is reached for the sole purpose of compromising potential claims and avoiding protracted and expensive litigation.”
Johnston sued the town and Town Manager Tom Yennerell in February, claiming the town fired him without cause, without notice and without a hearing that he was entitled to, according to the seven-page lawsuit filed by his attorney Pietro Lynn in U.S. District Court in Burlington.
“I’m pleased that this matter is behind us,” Yennerell said on Monday.
Selectboard Chairman Kristi Morris concurred.
“Now that this process is behind us, our goal is to move toward the future, including a vision for a community policing-modeled department,” Morris said on Wednesday.
The town hasn’t said what led to Johnston’s firing, calling it a “sensitive human resource matter.”
Lynn, Johnston’s attorney, announced in April that the former chief and the town had settled. Johnston, who had worked as chief since 2001, said he saw the settlement as “complete vindication of me.”
“Hopefully, the town manager will, in the future, familiarize himself with the town’s policies and procedures, the town charter, and state and federal laws, which all require due process,” Johnston said on Wednesday. “The Selectboard should investigate matters leading to my termination, which was later rescinded, to get both sides of the incident to avoid another suit involving a quarter-of-a-million-dollar payout.”
The town’s attorney, Brian Monaghan, said at the time the settlement amount would be paid for by the town and its insurance carrier, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
The town is in the process of hiring a new police chief. Resumes for the position are due June 17, Yennerell said. Lt. Mark Fountain is acting chief.
“We are committed to providing all the police services formerly provided and will continue to strive to make improvements now and into the future,” Yennerell said.
